Predoctoral Programming Hub
Career Foundations for Dental
Public Health & Practice
An educational series for predoctoral dental students
Purpose
Offerings
Exploring Public Health in Dentistry Interview Series (formerly known as Lunch and Learns)
Zoom webinar
4 one-hour sessions in 2025
Dates: Currently planning
This series of webinars is designed to provide students with practical insights into dental public health careers. Each session features expert speakers exploring topics such as public health career pathways, advocacy strategies, and population health approaches. The virtual format provides nationwide accessibility, allowing participants to join from dental schools or other locations. Recorded sessions are available for on-demand access through the AIDPH Academy platform. The intent is to foster connections between students and experienced public health professionals, offering insights into real-world applications and inspiring career exploration.
Benefits:
- Gain foundational knowledge about dental public health careers.
- Learn actionable strategies for pursuing a career in dental public health.
- Connect and network with peers and leaders in dental public health.
- Access flexible, on-demand learning tailored to busy student schedules.
Program: AIDPH Colloquium Student Aid Experience
Two Day Virtual Conference plus a pre-conference webinar.
Dates: March 4 & 5, 2025
The Colloquium Student Aid experience invites dental students to gain real-world experience by participating in the AIDPH Colloquium through staff support and session attendance. Students assist in professional conference execution while gaining exposure to all of the conference offerings. Student Aids can attend all conference programming, networking events, and a tailored pre-conference training session on conference roles and career development through professional conferences. This immersive experience equips participants with the skills to engage in professional environments effectively. Apply to be a Student Aide here.
Benefits:
- Develop event planning and organizational skills.
- Participate in dynamic learning sessions and networking opportunities.
- Enhance resumes with professional conference experience.
Rural Oral Health Seminar Series
5 one-hour sessions in 2025, 3 years of asynchronous seminars available via Academy
Dates: March 20, May 22, July 17, September 18 & November 20 – all sessions at 1 pm CT
This webinar series focuses on critical topics in rural and tribal oral health. It offers live and asynchronous sessions through the AIDPH Academy. Participants can earn a micro-credential, demonstrating expertise in addressing oral health disparities in underserved communities.
Benefits:
- Deepen understanding of oral health challenges in rural and tribal settings.
- Earn a certificate to bolster residency applications and professional profiles.
- Engage in interactive discussions and skill-building activities.
- Connect and network with dental public health professionals.
Flash Mentoring
This initiative connects students with national leaders in dental public health, industry, and clinical practice for short, impactful mentorship sessions. Mentors provide career guidance, answer questions, and share valuable insights for those pursuing dental public health careers. These sessions occur about every other month, and access is exclusively for AIDPH fellows and predoctoral students participating in the Career Foundations pathway – to gain access, register for the Career Foundations pathway on the Academy here.
Benefits:
- Build connections with experienced professionals.
- Receive personalized career advice in a supportive setting.
- Gain inspiration and direction for pursuing dental public health careers.
Federal Service Immersion program
This annual program offers students a unique opportunity to explore career possibilities within federal health agencies and national public health organizations. Participants attend an in-person immersion experience in Washington, D.C., where they engage in workshops, panel discussions, and networking events designed to connect them with public health leaders. Applications to the 2025 FSI program will open in early spring – sign up for our newsletter to receive notification when applications open.
Benefits:
- Build professional networks with key stakeholders in federal health sectors.
- Gain firsthand exposure to public health initiatives at the national level.
- Enhance career readiness with insights into federal service opportunities.